The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-30
The SYNOD'S LAST DAY.
THE LUTHERAN CONVENTION FIN.
ISHES ITS WORK.


IsHES ITS WORK.
lively Debate Over the Richmond Mis-
sion-The Board of Missions Threat
ems to Resign and the Virginia Syn
cd to Withdraw from the Union
Harmony Finally Prevails, and the
Synod Adjourns-The Next Conven-
ton in Wilmington.
The morning session of the United Synod
yesterday was occupied in lively debate,
which at one time threatened to cause seri-
GUS trouble. When the session opened
everything proceeded smoothly for time,
and the business was transacted with COM
mendable activity. The minutes of the
District Synods were submitted and consid-
cred, but nothing of special importance
transpired. The committee. which had been
appointed to procure a seal for the synod,
reported that it had not done so, because the
synod had no right to a seal, as it is not an
incorporated body.
The report of the Board of Home and For
eign Missions was then submitted and
right here the discussion began. In this re-
port the financial affairs of the Richmond
mission were brought before the synod in
the form of an appeal from the Virginia
Synod for help in paying debt of s., 900 re-
naming on the church property. 1t appears
that Richmond mission was established
many years ago, that it has ever been q
burden on the synod, and that although it
has church property valued at SIS, 000 upon
which there is only an incumbrance of
$4,000, the whole property will be lost I'M
less something is done Immediately TO re-
Iieve the people of Richmond from this
obligation.
THE RICHMOND MISSION DEBT.
1t was therefore suggested that the mat
ter be referred to the Board of Missions of
the United Synod, with instructions to
concentrate its energies in the matter of
paying off the debt. This course was OBJ
jected TO by many members including the
members of the Board of Missions, who
refused to serve if any such resolution was
adopted. During the discussion that
followed, every member of the synod
made speech, and many of them who were
evidently impressed with their oratorical
powers indulged in half dozen speeches.
Those who favored continuing the course
pursued in the past and responding to the
appeal called attention to the fact that the
property was valuable, that the district was
an important one, that if the mission should
now fail it would have a discouraging effect
upon the people throughout the district, as
it would appear that tue synod had acted
injudiciously in establishing the mission,
and had through Encouragement permitted
IL to become failure.
Moreover, as the synod contemplates
establishing new missions, why not postpone
action in that direction until the debt upon
Richmond mission could be cleared away
and placed upon a self-sustaining footing9
The people of Richmond would pay $4,000
on the debt Jan. l, provided the United
Synod would pledge itself to assume the
remaining S., 500. In advocating this course
one member called attention to the noble
work performed at st. Paurs Church, VIII
mington, N. c., which he said illustrated
the necessity of sticking to a prof.
ect when it is once begun. The church
property was heavily encountered and the
congregation was poor at the breaking out
Of the war. The Union forces invaded the
city. burned the hymn books and ali other
property of the church, leaving nothing
but the bare walls standing. The people
were not discouraged, however, but went to
work with will, and they now have the
church paid for and their property is among
the most valuable in the synod The history
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the
Ascension of this city was referred to as
another illustration.
OUGHT TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.
The opposition, however, contended that
il was about time for Richmond TO take care
of itself 1t had been making a continual
cry for assistance ever since it was estab
lished, and it was feared that as long as the
synod listened to their appeals and re-
sponded to them that they would be cont
tinued. 1t was certainly poor exhibition
for church with property valued at SIS, 900
10 ask that its debt of $1,000 be paid by
other people. The Richmond mission was
lkened by Mai. Meetze to a bore who con-
stantly rected his ills and misfortunes to
his friends He has heard Richmond appeal
for help for twenty-five years, and had
gotten tired of il.
Dr. Bowman said that when he attended
his first synod he was a beaidless youth of
10 years, and at that synod Richmond made
an appeal, He had had the same expert
ence at every other synod, and he feared
that the constant call for help from Rich
mond had stunted his growth.
Half dozen resolutions were offered and
amended and finally all of them were laid
on the table, and one providing that the
Board of Missions take such steps as it
might deem necessary to secure the pernIa-
nett establishment of Richmond mission
was presented for discussion. Before pre-
senting this resolution DR.. Horn said that
he wished to make a statement. The Board
of Missions could not undertake a service
which IL deemed fnadvisable, and If the reSo-
luton pending before the synod was TO
be construed as instructing the board to
60 ahead and endeavor TO pay off this debt
the members of the board would resign.
They had determined TO continue in office
only if they were to be permitted to use
their own Judgment in such matters. They
did not consider themselves wiser or better
than their brethren, but they had been ham,
pered enough in the past and had profited
by their experience.
LET THE BOARD RESIGN.
Rev. L. G. NJ. Miller, President of the
Southwestern Virginia Synod, advocated
accepting the designations of the Board of
Missions-not that he had not the most inl-
plicit confidence i'll their ability and their
willingness to advance the interests of the
synod, for the work they had already per.
formed proved conclusively that they were
peculiarly fitted for this work; but he
thought the synod should shape the course
Of the Board of Missions rather than the
board dictate the policy of the synod. He
was sorry that the discussion had reached
such an extreme point, but as long as it had
they might as well face it and dispose of the
question. He intimated that unless some
thing was done, and done Immediately,
to relieve the Richmond mission, that
they would have 30 go elsewhere for. assist
ance, and that would entail a separation
from the United Synod. The threat of the
1.,fM a. =.